Misenheimer, N.C.—Rachel Burts led the Crusaders for the second consecutive game, pounding out 12 kills, while Elizabeth James and Gabby Sehres dished out two service aces each, as the Crusaders inched passed the Falcons of Pfeiffer University 3-2 in Friday night volleyball action.

North Greenville pulled ahead early, taking the first two sets of the night with a 26-24 set one win, followed by a 25-20 win in set two. The Falcons held a 59-40 advantage in kills over the Crusaders, but five ball handling errors and 24 attack errors proved costly for Pfeiffer during the crucial Conference Carolinas showdown.

North Greenville looked to end the night quickly, but the Falcons had other ideas, as Pfeiffer quickly rebounded from the 2-0 deficit. The Falcons took the third set 25-15, and carried the momentum into the fourth, taking a 25-20 victory, tying the set score at 2-2, forcing a winner take all fifth set. Pfeiffer pounded out 26 kills during the two sets, compared to just 18 for the Crusaders.

North Greenville would take the fifth set, but would have to come from behind to do it. The Crusaders fell behind 6-3 early in the frame, but a 7-3 run would give NGU its first lead of the final set. The Crusaders would go on to outscore the Falcons 5-2 in the final points of the match to take the 15-11 win. Other leaders for the Crusaders were Yomi Adeyeye who posted 10 kills while Elizabeth James added 33 assists while Codiann Amis posted 14 digs.

The win over Pfeiffer puts North Greenville at 7-23 overall, but more importantly moves the Crusaders to 5-10 in Conference Carolinas, and in the middle of the race for the Conference Carolinas playoffs. The Crusaders will take on Belmont Abbey and Francis Marion tomorrow afternoon in Belmont, North Carolina.